Article rack



R. L. WILLIS ARTICLE RACK Dec. 21, 1948.

Filed Aug. 25, 1947 Inventor Roberf Lee Will/s Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UITED STATES "i" OFFICE.

5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in article racks and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a device that will support combs, brushes, files and the like, in a neat and orderly manner for display purposes.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a rack including new and useful article supporting means whereby the articles to be supported are quickly and readily engaged with the supporting means or removed therefrom in the minimum time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rack wherein the supported articles are almost entirely exposed to add to the attractiveness of the device and to permit the supported article to be exposed to the air for ventilation thereof.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide an article rack that is simple and practical in construction, neat and attractive in appearance, strong and reliable in use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference be ing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a rear View of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral l represents a flat substantially rectangular panel provided with suitable trim l2 at its upper end.

Projecting outwardly from the rear face of the panel l0 near its upper end, are pairs of spaced parallel ears 14, between which are pivoted one terminal of a pair of supporting arms [5 having their lower free terminals turned outwardly as at is to bear on a supporting surface and to retain the panel in an inclined position, as shown in Figure 2.

Extending transversely between the sides of the panel, and spaced longitudinally upon the outer face of the panel, are pairs of arcuate preferably resilient arms 20 having their terminals rigidly secured to the outer face of the panel. The

central portions 22 of these arms are turned outwardly to facilitate the reception of a comb or the like 34 between the arms. It is preferred, that these arms be disposed at an inclined angle to the panel and it has been found that to dispose these arms at an angle of 12 degrees with the panel will permit the combs to be quickly and readily engaged with or removed from the arms without the user contacting the panel to tip the same over.

At the lower end of the panel, there is provided a plurality of angular springs or clips 26 that are adapted to clampingly engage a file or the like 28. Also rigidly secured to the outer face of the panel adjacent its lower end, is a plurality of enlarged angular springs or clips 38 that are adapted to support a brush or the like 32.

In practical use of the device, the legs 16 are disposed substantially vertical with their arcuate terminals [8 bearing upon a supporting surface and the panel is retained in a vertically inclined position. To insert a comb between the arms 20, it is merely necessary to place the central portion of the comb between the outturned portions 22 of the arms 20 which will guide the positioning of the comb between the arms, with the teeth of the comb bearing slightly upon the outer face of the panel 10. Also, the nail file 28 and brush 32 may be readily engaged by the respective clips 26 and 30 to support the same in a position as shown in Figure 1.

Obviously, by providing such a device, the article supported by the panel will be displayed in a neat and orderly fashion and the combs and brush which are usually damped for use, may be exposed to the air for ventilation and drying thereof.

In View of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A utility rack comprising a panel, means for supporting said panel in an inclined position, and pairs of arcuate arms having their terminals rigidly secured to said panel, said arms being disposed at an inclined angle to said panel.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a pair of supporting arms hinged at one end to said panel.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the free ends of said supporting arms are arcuate.

4. A utility rack comprising a panel, pairs of spaced parallel ears carried by the rear facelof said panel, supporting arms having oneof their terminals pivoted between said ears, the free terminals of said supporting arms being arcuateto bear upon a supporting surface and support the panel in an inclined position, and pairs of'arcuate resilient arms having their terminals rigidlysea cured to said panel between which an article may be supported, said arcuate arms being disposed at an inclined angle to said panel.

5. A utility rack comprising a panel, pairs of spaced parallel ears carried by the rear face of said panel, supporting arms having one of their terminals pivoted between said ears, the free terminals of said supporting arms being arcuate REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 378,407 Strauss Feb. 21, 1888 1,010,057 Kaeber Nov. 28,1911 1,767,433 Chappary June 24, 1930 1,785,753 Weisner Dec. 23,1930 2,130,197 Schick Sept. 13,1938 2,196,118

-McKe1vie Apr.-2, 1940 

